Journal Entry 1 by yvi-1 on Friday, April 16, 2004

Registered for the sole (soul?) purpose of releasing. 

Journal Entry 2 by yvi-1 at n/a in n/a, given to a fellow BCer -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, April 17, 2004

Released on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at n/a in n/a, given to a fellow BCer Controlled Releases.

RABCK for a special bookcrosser. 

Journal Entry 3 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Friday, April 23, 2004

Received today as a RABCK from a very generous Bookcrossing member. Thank you!! 

Journal Entry 4 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Wednesday, October 06, 2004

This was a very interesting and moving read. Telling the story of the women of the Confederacy through their letters and diaries, this book brought tears to my eyes at times. It certainly puts the war in very human terms; I had no idea of the awesome responsibilities the women took on during this period ... responsibilities they were untrained for and had been considered not fitting for a "lady" of the time.

I would like to have read more letters and diaries from different classes. While there are a few from the poorer classes, the majority are from the wealthier families of the South. Nevertheless, it's a good book, and has led to my desire to read more in-depth on this aspect of the war.


I should note that there is a sequel by the same author, "Winter of Desperation," which I haven't read yet. It's a little scary considering how bad things get in "Spring of High Hopes" to consider how much worse it must be in the sequel :(
 

Journal Entry 5 by Pyan at Pyan's Get These Books on the Road Bookbox in Pyan's Get These Books On the Road Bookbox, Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, October 17, 2004

Released 7 yrs ago (10/20/2004 UTC) at Pyan's Get These Books on the Road Bookbox in Pyan's Get These Books On the Road Bookbox, Bookbox -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Released to Pyan's Get These Books on the Road Bookbox. 

Journal Entry 6 by tabby-cat-owner from Phoenix, Arizona USA on Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Taking this out of Pyan's Get These Books on the Road Bookbox 

Journal Entry 7 by tabby-cat-owner from Phoenix, Arizona USA on Thursday, June 30, 2005

Finally read this book, letter by letter and diary entry by diary entry. Since it was small, I carried it with me in my purse and read it waiting for an appointment or while eating lunch, etc. I was very touched to learn about what it was like to live in the South during the Civil War written by women who were living it. 

Journal Entry 8 by tabby-cat-owner from Phoenix, Arizona USA on Thursday, August 11, 2005

Bookray Shipping Order:
mysterylady36 (Ashland, Missouri)
wolfprincess (Newton Falls, Ohio)
RaineeRose (Rochester, New York)
Megi53 (Danville, Virginia
glade1 (McLeansville, North Carolina)
crrcookie (Kaiserslautern, Germany)
kizmiaz (Lisbon, Portugal)
cloggy (London, UK)<--final destination since Hellie cannot be contacted 2/06
Hellie (South Shields, Tyne & Wear, UK)

PLEASE NOTE: This book is rather old and there are a lot of readers on this list. If the book starts falling apart, please let me know and I will replace it. There are five copies of this book listed on Amazon.com. 

Journal Entry 9 by tabby-cat-owner at n/a in Bookray, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (8/23/2005 UTC) at n/a in Bookray, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

sending on its way to mysterylady36 of Ashland, Missouri to start the bookray. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 10 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Arrived safely today. I have one other book that I need to finish before I can start on this, but it shouldn't take long. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 11 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Tuesday, September 13, 2005

I enjoyed reading about the Civil War from the perspective of the women involved. I didn't realize just how many contributed as spys during the time. I found it a little hard to read, but just because of all the information in the foot notes that kept distracting me.

I will be mailing this out soon. 

Journal Entry 12 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Monday, September 26, 2005

I am so sorry! I meant to mail this out earlier, but things got crazy and I just discovered it all packed up and ready to go in the back seat of my car. I stopped by the post office on my way home tonight and sent it first class, so it should arrive soon.

Delivery confirmation #: 03050830000178182411 

Journal Entry 13 by wolfprincess from Newton Falls, Ohio USA on Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Just recieved book today. It arrived safely. KSK will start the book today or tomarrow. 

Journal Entry 14 by wolfprincess from Newton Falls, Ohio USA on Friday, September 30, 2005

KSK really thought the book was really good. She liked the letters and stories all of the women had to tell. She said it will be a good eye opener for a lot of people to really see how these women had to live, act, and do things on a daily bases back in the time of the civil war. She now is wanting to keep an eye out for a book like this about union soldires women.

I am mailing the book out to RaineeRose on 10/1/05 by media mail I will also get a confermation number as well. 

Journal Entry 15 by RaineeRose from Rochester, New York USA on Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Received today. I'll get started on this ASAP. Thanks, tabby-cat-owner! 

Journal Entry 16 by RaineeRose from Rochester, New York USA on Wednesday, October 12, 2005

I found this book very interesting. Too often when we think of the Civil War, I think the images that come to mind are of the battles and Abraham Lincoln and such. I enjoyed this book because it opened my eyes to the life of the women who were left behind. For example, I can't even imagine how difficult and scary it must have been when the Yankees decided to use your home for headquarters or a hospital. Terrifying, I'm sure.

I also enjoyed this book because it made me realize how hard it must be for the families of our soldiers in Iraq. War has never been close to me; I've never had to watch my loved one go off to battle. Reading this book helps me to appreciate and empathize more with the people war is affecting today.

Thanks, tabby-cat-owner, for starting this ray. I'll send this on to Megi52 ASAP. 

Journal Entry 17 by RaineeRose from Rochester, New York USA on Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Edited to change the status to "reserved." 

Journal Entry 18 by RaineeRose at sent via media mail at Rochester, NY post office in Mailed to another BC member, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, October 13, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (10/13/2005 UTC) at sent via media mail at Rochester, NY post office in Mailed to another BC member, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to megi53. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 19 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Waiting on the front table when I got home last night from a long midnight drive from the coast; too tired from dodging deer to make a journal entry then.

I just looked through it and thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Morgan's tale of shoe-shopping! 

Journal Entry 20 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Friday, October 28, 2005

I finished about two hours ago, and I was almost in tears from page 214 on. Agnes' letter on that page reads:

"Did you know that Jim Field lost a leg at Malvern Hills -- or at the hospital afterwards? He was such a lovely fellow -- engaged to Sue Bland -- I never saw such a handsome pair. Well, Sue thinks as much as I do about good looks, and Jim wrote to release her."

The last selection in the book was Stonewall Jackson's widow's account of his tragic death.

There were some very funny parts, though. I've already referred to Sarah Morgan's trouble finding shoes. Here's her take on the pair she ended up with:

(page 142): "Behold my tender feet cased in crocodile skin, patent-leather tipped, low-quarter boy's shoes, No.2! 'What a fall was there, my country,' from my pretty English glove-kid, to sabots made of some animal closely connected with the hippopotamus!"

I got a kick out of this selection from "New Orleans Is Full of Rumors" by Julia LeGrand: (pp. 205-6)

"Heard to-day of the existence of a negro society here called the "vaudo" (I believe) ... The existence of such a thing in New Orleans is hard to believe."

Betty Herndon Maury, daughter of the scientist Matthew Maury, was the one whose writing "flowed" the best for me.

Alice Ready's entries were immature and silly, but they got me interested in finding out more about her brother-in-law, John Hunt Morgan. Since my brother is a total Civil War nut, I'll have to beg and borrow some of his books.

I was surprised that Confederate "First Lady" Varina Howell Davis was the dullest correspondent. Maybe she had to be circumspect because of her position.

This book reminded me of a lot of current events, also. The hurried evacuations brought the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to mind.

I'm going to add the second volume to my wishlist, and I've already started searching for it at used bookstores.

Heroines of Dixie is still in pretty good shape because of the high-quality plastic covering someone has used on it. When it first came to my house, I thought I would need to use a magnifier because of the small print, but it was so interesting that I put the magnifier aside after Mrs. Davis' stultifying letter to Mr. Clay on page 27.

Ready to mail to glade1 tomorrow morning.

 

Journal Entry 21 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Monday, October 31, 2005

Received in the mail today. It's in line behind a few other bookrings but I will get to it ASAP. Looks like an interesting read. 

Journal Entry 22 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Saturday, November 12, 2005

Wonderful book! I found it very touching, of course, but like Megi53 found some of it unexpectedly humorous. What a wonderful glimpse into a woman's life during that era. I was gratified to see that these women seemed to feel great power and purpose and did not feel like helpless, fainting, second-class citizens, as we are so often led to believe women of that era did--before suffrage and women's lib :) They realized the importance of the jobs they did "at home" to keep the soldiers clothed, fed, nursed, cheered, etc., as well as to take care of estates and families when the men were gone.

There were many parts that especially touched me. Here are a few:

Mary Custis Lee (wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee): "...the prospects before us are sad indeed & as I think both parties are wrong in this fratricidal war, there is nothing comforting even in the hope that God may prosper the right, for I see no right in the matter." (Such an unpatriotic, non-partisan view for the great general's wife to have.)

Varina Howell Davis (wife of Confederate Pres. Jefferson Davis): "As to the children, I think you must like them, at best your God child--he is pretty as was Maggie in her babyhood, and so very gentle & loving, gets occasions of tenderness while playing, and runs up and puts his dirtly little hands on either side of my face to kiss me. He talks sporadically--the words pronounced quite plainly, sometimes whole sentences, and then it is a month before another word is enunciated. Jeff is beaming, blustering, blooming, burly and blundering as ever. The repository of many hopes, promising of but little definite as yet. Little Maggie is gentle & loving, and considerate. She and I are good friends."- (What beautiful descriptions of one's children--obviously written by a mother who loved them.)

Rose O'Neal Greenhow (the courier who took information to the Confederates and was imprisoned for it): "I have been one week in my new prison. My letters now all go through the detective police who subject them to a chemical process to extract the treason." (She kept her sense of humor, at least!)

Cornelia Peake McDonald (living in Winchester when it was occupied by the Union; her two oldest children witnessed a battle nearby): "They had a position in the beginning of the battle near where a body of the Federals were awaiting an attack, and they, the boys, were perched on a fence for a better view, but the attack was made, and a man's head rolled close to where they were, and they prudently retreated to a more secure position." (What a matter-of-fact description of what must have been a life-changing event for those boys!)

Kate Cumming (nursing the wounded after the Battle of Shiloh): "I do not think that words are in our vocabulary to present to the mind the realities of that sad scene. Certainly, none of the glories of the war were presented here. But I must not say that; for if uncomplaining endurance is glory, we had plenty of it. If it is that which makes the hero, here they were by scores. Gray-haired men--men in the pride of manhood--beardless boys--Federals and all, mutilated in every imaginable way, lying on the floor, just as they were taken from the battle field; so close together that it was almost impossible to walk without stepping on them."

Obviously the better educated, upper-class was most represented in this book, because they were the ones who had the skills to write. I feel sure that poorer women suffered even more. But I was struck by the empathy that all the women in the book felt for the soldiers and for other women.

There was, of course, little empathy for the slaves in these entries, but no outright cruelty either. One woman spends a lot of time telling her husband about how all the "negroes" are doing, who has had a baby and what it was named, what preparations she is making to keep them comfortable during the winter, etc. (And these slaves are also shown as the exception because they choose to stay with the family rather than "run away," as so many of her neighbors' slaves did--perhaps this family provided exceptional care?) Slavery and emancipation were actually mentioned very little in this book, surprisingly enough.

Reading this book has made me want to do several things:

1) Start keeping a journal again. I kept one for 20 years but have fallen off since the birth of my second child five years ago. I never did write much about current events--too wrapped up in my own little world--but still it is a good outlet and an interesting read.

2) Rent Ken Burns's "The Civil War" and watch it all!

3) Watch "Gone With the Wind."

Anyway, I can't say enough good things about this book. I would love to read the second volume, as the story is only half told. It would also be interesting to hear what some of these same women had to say about the Reconstruction.

Sorry to ramble so much. My thoughts just went in lots of directions while reading this book. Thank you very much, tabby-cat-owner, for sharing this one. I will PM the next reader now to get this moving again.

Update 11-14-05: Mailed out to crrcookie today via media rate (to her APO address) 

Journal Entry 23 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Saturday, November 19, 2005

Journal Entry 24 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Friday, December 09, 2005

Journal Entry 25 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Monday, December 19, 2005

Journal Entry 26 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Thursday, January 05, 2006

Just got it, thanks crrcookie. Two more to go before this one, but I won't take long. 

Journal Entry 27 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Monday, January 23, 2006

Journal Entry 28 by cloggy from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, February 02, 2006

It's here! That's so quick. Thanks Kizmiaz and tabby-cat-owner for sharing. 

Journal Entry 29 by cloggy from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, February 10, 2006

I have to agree with crrookie, that I probably didn't know about about the American Civil war to begin with, to do this book justice. If I knew all the names of the battles and what happened, the individual letters would have resonated more with me.

As it was, there were some women who's story drew me in and I wanted to know more about them, only to be moved on to someone else's story.

But thanks for sharing tabby-cat-owner, I've pmed Hellie for her address. As soon as she gets back to me, the book will be moving again 

Journal Entry 30 by cloggy from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, March 09, 2006

Got Hellie's addy, she'd been having problems with her PM. Will go in the post to her this morning. 

Journal Entry 31 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, March 11, 2006

Arrived today...many thanks

love stuff related to the civil war...ive been to shiloh and as one of the most intense and moving experiences of my life.
will read soon